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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

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How the Talarico-Paxton race could play out

Talarico links the affordability crisis with corruption, while Paxton frames the Democrat as out of touch.

Politics & Policy

With Ken Paxton&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GOP primary win" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" data-vars-content-id="f1d8eded-ce80-478f-a801-449ff75d69a2" data-vars-headline="How the Talarico-Paxton race could play out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" target="_self">GOP primary win</a> this week, Democrats now have the Republican Senate candidate, tactically speaking, they were hoping for.<ul><li>Now the question is whether their nominee, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Talarico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" data-vars-content-id="f1d8eded-ce80-478f-a801-449ff75d69a2" data-vars-headline="How the Talarico-Paxton race could play out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" target="_self">James Talarico</a>, a young state lawmaker from Austin, can deliver them out of the wilderness.</li></ul>

Austin City Council to consider rules for e-motos

In Austin, there is no local code governing where e-motos can operate.

News

The Austin City Council on Thursday will consider taking an initial step toward regulating electric dirt bikes and mini motorcyles, or e-motos.Why it matters: A growing number of children and teens are riding the high-powered bikes on Austin streets, alarming residents and prompting safety concerns from local officials.

Austin youth soccer eyes World Cup bump

Youth participation has increased alongside the sport's popularity.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/13/what-to-know-about-world-cup-watch-parties-miami" data-vars-content-id="37ce5d92-ef74-478d-a9e2-8f604ec4d610" data-vars-headline="Austin youth soccer eyes World Cup bump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/13/what-to-know-about-world-cup-watch-parties-miami" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a> kicks off June 11, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada — the first time in 32 years the U.S. will serve as a host nation.Why it matters: More Americans are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tuning into" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2025/world-cup-2026/" data-vars-content-id="37ce5d92-ef74-478d-a9e2-8f604ec4d610" data-vars-headline="Austin youth soccer eyes World Cup bump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2025/world-cup-2026/" target="_blank">tuning into</a> soccer ahead of the sport&#x27;s most prestigious tournament, and youth soccer clubs hope the tournament spurs a rise in participation.

Austin has ties to Spencer Pratt's LA mayoral campaign

Tuesday is primary day in LA, where incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is trying to stay in office.

Reality star <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spencer Pratt&#x27;s bid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/08/california-election-democrats-spencer-pratt" data-vars-content-id="41a4be90-919a-43d6-b362-a49779db1b2a" data-vars-headline="Austin has ties to Spencer Pratt&#x27;s LA mayoral campaign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/08/california-election-democrats-spencer-pratt" target="_self">Spencer Pratt&#x27;s bid</a> to be Los Angeles&#x27; next mayor has ties to Austin, per an Axios review of campaign finance filings.Why it matters: Tuesday is primary day in LA, where incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is trying to stay in office after facing criticism over the city&#x27;s response to last year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="devastating wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/11/la-protests-ice-curfew-marines" data-vars-content-id="41a4be90-919a-43d6-b362-a49779db1b2a" data-vars-headline="Austin has ties to Spencer Pratt&#x27;s LA mayoral campaign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/11/la-protests-ice-curfew-marines" target="_self">devastating wildfires</a>.

ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year

The festival will take place over four days in downtown Austin.

ATX TV Festival is back in downtown Austin this weekend with TV reunions, sneak peeks, celebrity panels and a few new additions to mark its 15th year.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="four-day festival" data-vars-click-url="https://atxtvfestival.eventive.org/welcome" data-vars-content-id="4bf642da-d98d-4065-9c47-16468aaae12a" data-vars-headline="ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atxtvfestival.eventive.org/welcome" target="_blank">four-day festival</a>, running Friday to Monday, is dedicated to television — something co-founders Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson say was the point from the beginning.

Austin's top April events you won't want to miss

Austin's kite fest, comedy, music and more.

Food and Drink

It&#x27;s springtime in Central Texas, and one of our favorite months of the year to get out and explore Austin.Here are some of the events we&#x27;re most looking forward to.

New romance bookstore opens in East Austin

Finney's Books opened in December, shortly after the release of "Heated Rivalry."

Finney&#x27;s Books, a new romance bookstore in East Austin, is riding a wave of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reader enthusiasm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/07/hot-romance-novel-recs-houston-romance-bookstore" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/07/hot-romance-novel-recs-houston-romance-bookstore" target="_self">reader enthusiasm</a> for genre-specific spaces.Why it matters: Romance is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="having a moment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/10/romance-bookstores-book-clubs-romantasy" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/10/romance-bookstores-book-clubs-romantasy" target="_self">having a moment</a>. Niche bookstores like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Finney&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.finneysbooks.com/about" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.finneysbooks.com/about" target="_blank">Finney&#x27;s</a> are popping up across the country, and screen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adaptations have helped sales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/07/10/2701952/0/en/From-Laggard-to-Leader-Record-Sales-of-Romance-Books-Reflect-Next-Generation-of-Contemporary-Readers.html" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/07/10/2701952/0/en/From-Laggard-to-Leader-Record-Sales-of-Romance-Books-Reflect-Next-Generation-of-Contemporary-Readers.html" target="_blank">adaptations have helped sales</a> of romance novels climb.

Where Austinites are making their own gifts

You can make your own meaningful holiday gift at studios around Austin.

Things to Do

Handmade gifts are having a moment, and there are tons of spots around town to try your hand at a new craft.The big picture: Younger generations are shifting to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hands-on hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-austin-98968248-277b-4fd7-a948-817a8449f0e5.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story1" data-vars-content-id="5289029f-6cd1-4b93-9c73-999a9fede800" data-vars-headline="Where Austinites are making their own gifts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-austin-98968248-277b-4fd7-a948-817a8449f0e5.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story1" target="_self">hands-on hobbies</a> like needlepoint and pottery, says Claire Tassin, a retail and e-commerce analyst at Morning Consult. Plus, homemade gifts help save money.

A jazzy "Nutcracker" hits Austin for one night only

Their show reimagines the classic party scene from "The Nutcracker."

An Austin nonprofit is preparing for an ambitious one-night-only performance of Duke Ellington&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Nutcracker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/12/06/ballet-austin-nutcracker-long-center" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/12/06/ballet-austin-nutcracker-long-center" target="_self">The Nutcracker</a>.&quot;Why it matters: The show on Dec. 19 is the first major performance for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Capital Contemporary Ballet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atxartists.org/capital-contemporary-ballet?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnsUYoEiaEUbZjdxjtuM-GL-OROk2c5zIbqL8BOatTEjJjj7E1-Dmf_iKzahs_aem_120GYBsCq-n2srhQ2lZ9og" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atxartists.org/capital-contemporary-ballet?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnsUYoEiaEUbZjdxjtuM-GL-OROk2c5zIbqL8BOatTEjJjj7E1-Dmf_iKzahs_aem_120GYBsCq-n2srhQ2lZ9og" target="_blank">Capital Contemporary Ballet</a> and a significant milestone for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATX Jazz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atxartists.org/atx-jazz-orchestra" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atxartists.org/atx-jazz-orchestra" target="_blank">ATX Jazz</a> Orchestra, which together form the core of the newly launched nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATX Artists for Social Impact" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atxartists.org/" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atxartists.org/" target="_blank">ATX Artists for Social Impact</a>.

Spotify: Austin's top songs of 2025

Kendrick Lamar's "luther (with sza)" took the top spot.

Culture

Kendrick Lamar&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Luther" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" target="_blank">Luther</a>&quot; (with SZA) was the most-streamed song on Spotify in Austin this year.Why it matters: Austin&#x27;s Wrapped shows a more Spanish-language tilt with Bad Bunny&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DtMF" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" target="_blank">DtMF</a>&quot; landing in the No. 2 spot.

Raul De Lara reconnects with his Austin roots in new exhibition

De Lara's first solo museum exhibition in Texas draws heavily from his experience as a Mexican immigrant growing up in Austin.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Contemporary Austin&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/" data-vars-content-id="4e24d325-8a9b-4779-9797-8c56da729ab5" data-vars-headline="Raul De Lara reconnects with his Austin roots in new exhibition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/" target="_blank">Contemporary Austin&#x27;s</a> latest exhibition from sculptor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raul De Lara" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rauldelara.com/" data-vars-content-id="4e24d325-8a9b-4779-9797-8c56da729ab5" data-vars-headline="Raul De Lara reconnects with his Austin roots in new exhibition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rauldelara.com/" target="_blank">Raul De Lara</a> uses woodwork to explore identity, belonging and stories carried across borders.Why it matters: It&#x27;s De Lara&#x27;s first solo <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/19/austin-museum-day-free-events" data-vars-content-id="4e24d325-8a9b-4779-9797-8c56da729ab5" data-vars-headline="Raul De Lara reconnects with his Austin roots in new exhibition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/19/austin-museum-day-free-events" target="_self">museum</a> exhibition in Texas, and his work draws heavily from his experience as a Mexican immigrant growing up in Austin.

Vintage gowns are getting a second life in latest bridal trend

Couples are embracing vintage elements and repurposing vintage gowns from family members.

Business

A growing number of brides are repurposing their mothers&#x27; wedding gowns for their own special day.Why it matters: As the costs of weddings <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continue to climb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/19/wedding-costs-tariffs-prices" data-vars-content-id="1e4e49fc-8641-4b5f-8527-c77f764cbb2e" data-vars-headline="Vintage gowns are getting a second life in latest bridal trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/19/wedding-costs-tariffs-prices" target="_self">continue to climb</a>, the trend is another way couples are blending sustainability with sentimentality.

Very best Austin day with artist Todd Sanders

How a local artist famed for his neon likes to brighten his life.

We caught up recently with neon artist Todd Sanders to ask about his ideal Austin day.Why it matters: His commercial and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fine art work" data-vars-click-url="https://wcc.art/artist/todd-sanders" data-vars-content-id="c21869ae-a349-4cb5-82cd-d83a6e35ef13" data-vars-headline="Very best Austin day with artist Todd Sanders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wcc.art/artist/todd-sanders" target="_blank">fine art work</a> evokes a bygone period of classic cars and rock-and-roll in Austin.

Vote for Texas' most iconic food

Tamales, Texas sheet cake and smoked brisket are among the contenders.

The famed Texas breakfast plate vs. the famed Texas breakfast to go. A smokehouse staple vs. a diner favorite. Texas&#x27; most famous foods are about to face off bracket-style.<ul><li>And you get to pick the winners.</li></ul>

Culture

Wembanyama shows the power of emotions in sports

ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year

Austin's top April events you won't want to miss

New romance bookstore opens in East Austin

Where Austinites are making their own gifts